Certified organic cheesemaker, Feltham’s Farm was presented with both the Best English Cheese and Best Cow Cheese trophies at the 10th edition of the Artisan Cheese Awards, for its newest cheese, Lucky Marcel. This small, lactic-style cheese with a beautiful vermiculated rind scored a perfect 100/100 during this year’s judging, which saw a record breaking 643 entries judged by 80 experts at St Mary’s Church in Melton Mowbray.
A homage to two of co-founders, Marcus Fergusson and Penny Nagle’s, favourite French styles, St Felicien and St Marcellin, Lucky Marcel was first developed in 2024. When young, the yeast-ripened cheese is firm, lactic and fresh, but it ages quickly, breaking down to become softer and more liquid as each day passes, with the flavour profile intensifying along the way.
In addition to landing these two highly coveted trophies, Feltham’s Farm won a total of eight prizes at this year’s competition, across categories including Organic, Cow, Soft and Fresh. Gold accolades were awarded to the Queso Fresco inspired fresh cheese, La Fresca Margarita, the soft, blue, ale-washed cheese, Rebel Nun, and the high scoring Lucky Marcel. La Fresca Margarita also collected two Silver prizes, while Gert Lush – Feltham’s Farm’s West Country take on a Camembert – secured two Bronze awards.
Marcus Fergusson, co-owner at Feltham’s Farm, commented: “Lucky Marcel is a small and delicate cheese but it punches far above its weight. The quality of the milk is absolutely essential… we lovingly hand ladle every pot.”
Co-owner at Feltham’s Farm, Penny Nagle, added: “The judges really responded to the delicate simplicity of Lucky Marcel, and we are delighted that they are also recognising how simple cheese is often the hardest to make really well – this win is tribute to Shaun and the cheesemaking team here, as well as our single source milk partners Bruton Dairy and Godminster.”
These trophies are just the latest in a series of wins for Feltham’s Farm cheeses, all made on a certified organic 22-acre smallholding in the north of the Blackmore Vale. In a long list of accolades, featuring prizes from Great Taste, the British & Irish Cheese Awards and many more, highlights include a Super Gold for Lucky Marcel at the World Cheese Awards 2024, just a month after its launch, and back-to back Supreme Champion trophies at the Virtual Cheese Awards in 2020 and 2021, for Renegade Monk and La Fresca Margarita, respectively.
Lucky Marcel is available to purchase from independent retailers across the UK and from felthamsfarm.com, priced at £6.00 (85g).
Picture caption: Penny Nagle, co-founder of Feltham’s Farm, holding the Best English Cheese trophy, alongside Matthew O’Callaghan, founder and organiser of the Artisan Cheese Awards.
Picture credit: Martin Elliott mepics.me / Artisan Cheese Awards
